Root median square power measurement

ABSTRACT

A handheld computing device comprises a data processor configured to allocate a set of measurements of a wireless signal amongst partitions of a hierarchical multi-level partition space. Each level has a plurality of the partitions. Each partition has a respective numerical range, and the value of each allocated measurement is within one of the ranges. One of the measurements allocated to one of the partitions has a desired rank. This partition encompasses the range of all the partitions in the immediately lower level. Each partition in the immediately lower level has a desired resolution for the allocated measurements. The data processor sums the number of measurements allocated to each respective partition in the immediately lower level until the desired rank is obtained. The numerical range of the partition in this lower level that is associated with the desired rank comprises an estimate of a characteristic of the wireless signal.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/702,668, filed Feb. 6, 2007, entitled “Root Median Square Power Measurement”, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

This patent application relates to a method for estimating the power of an electrical signal. In particular, this patent application relates to a method for calculating a root-median-square power measurement of an electrical signal.

BACKGROUND

Typically, the magnitude and power measurements of an electrical signal are expressed in terms of RMS (Root Mean Square) values since the algorithms for implementing such measurements are computationally inexpensive and analytically well understood. However, RMS measurements are sensitive to the distribution of values in the input data set, in particular, large-magnitude outliers. As a result, RMS measurements are strongly affected by spectral coloration and contamination.

In the context of wireless networking, this means that RMS Received Signal Strength Indications (RSSI) are skewed by channel filter shape, channel interference and noise. Root Median Square (RMedS) measurements are known to be less sensitive to outliers than RMS measurements. However, the algorithms for implementing RMedS measurements tend to be computationally expensive. Due to the limited computational power of a wireless mobile station, it is impractical to calculate the RSSI of a wireless signal at a mobile station using a conventional RMedS algorithm.

As a result, there remains a need for a method of estimating an electrical characteristic (e.g. voltage magnitude, current magnitude, or power) of an electrical signal that may be subjected to spectral coloration and contamination. There also remains a need for a method of estimating the RSSI of a wireless signal at a mobile station.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This patent application describes a handheld communications device that uses a novel method for estimating a characteristic of a wireless signal received at the communications device. In one implementation, the handheld communications device uses the method to compute a RMedS estimate of the received signal strength of the wireless signal.

A preferred embodiment of the handheld communications device and the method will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram depicting a mobile communications network, including the handheld communications device;

FIG. 2 is a front plan view of the handheld communications device depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram depicting certain functional details of the data processing means of the handheld communications device, including the primary allocation procedure, the secondary allocation procedure, the selecting procedure, and the calculating procedure;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram depicting certain additional functional details of the handheld communications device;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart depicting, by way of overview, the method performed by the handheld communications device when estimating a characteristic of an electrical signal;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram depicting a sample set of primary and secondary partitions, as contemplated by the method;

FIG. 7 (comprising FIGS. 7 a to 7 e) is a flow chart depicting, in detail, the method performed by the handheld communications device when measuring received signal strength; and

FIG. 8 depicts the variation in mean RSSI and median RSSI (as determined by the method), against true RSSI, for selected channel filter bandwidths.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

By way of overview, in a first aspect this disclosure relates to a handheld computing device that is configured to estimate a characteristic of a wireless signal. The handheld communications device comprises an antenna and a data processor. The antenna is configured to receive the wireless signal. The data processor is coupled to the antenna and is configured to generate a set of measurements of the wireless signal, and to allocate the set of measurements amongst partitions of a hierarchical multi-level partition space. Each level of the partition space has a plurality of the partitions. Each partition has a respective numerical range, and the value of each allocated measurement is within one of the numerical ranges.

One of the measurements allocated to one of the partitions has a desired rank. This one partition encompasses the numerical range of all the partitions in the partition level immediately lower thereto. Each partition in the immediately lower partition level has a desired resolution for the measurements allocated thereto.

The data processor is also configured to estimate the characteristic of the wireless signal by summing the number of the measurements allocated to each respective partition in the immediately lower partition level until the desired rank is obtained. The numerical range of the partition that is in the immediately lower partition level and is associated with the desired rank comprises the estimate of the characteristic.

In a second aspect, this disclosure relates to a method for estimating a characteristic of a wireless signal that is received at a handheld computing device. The method involves generating a set of measurements of the wireless signal, and allocating the set of measurements amongst partitions of a hierarchical multi-level partition space. Each level of the partition space has a plurality of the partitions. Each partition has a respective numerical range, and the value of each allocated measurement is within one of the numerical ranges.

One of the measurements allocated to one of the partitions has a desired rank. This one partition encompasses the numerical range of all the partitions in the partition level immediately lower thereto. Each partition in the immediately lower partition level has a desired resolution for the measurements allocated thereto.

The method also involves estimating the characteristic of the wireless signal by summing the number of the measurements allocated to each respective partition in the immediately lower partition level until the desired rank is obtained. The numerical range of the partition that is in the immediately lower partition level and is associated with the desired rank comprises the estimate of the characteristic.

In one implementation, each measurement comprises a set of binary digits having a word length. Each partition is uniquely associated with a respective set of binary digits of length less than the word length. The step of allocating comprises uniquely associating a respective counter with each partition and, for each measurement, incrementing the counter that corresponds to the set of most significant binary digits of the measurement.

In a preferred implementation, the partitions in the immediately lower partition level comprise secondary partitions, and the partitions in the partition level immediately above the secondary partitions comprise primary partitions. Each primary partition is uniquely associated with a respective primary set of binary digits, and each secondary partition is uniquely associated with a respective secondary set of binary digits.

The step of allocating may comprise uniquely associating a respective primary counter with each primary set of binary digits, and uniquely associating a respective secondary counter with each secondary set of binary digits. The step of allocating may also comprise, for each measurement that is associated with the one primary partition, incrementing the secondary counter that corresponds to the set of next most significant binary digits of the measurement.

In this preferred implementation, the step of allocating may comprise clipping the measurements that are associated with other than the one primary partition to upper and lower limits of the numerical range of the one primary partition. The clipping step may comprise, (1) for the measurements whose values are greater than the upper limit, mapping the set of next most significant binary digits to a maximum one of the secondary partitions, and (2) for the measurements whose values are less than the lower limit, mapping the set of next most significant binary digits to a minimum one of the secondary partitions.

In this preferred implementation, the estimating step may comprise calculating the square root of the combined value of the primary set of binary digits of the one primary partition and the secondary set of binary digits of the secondary partition associated with the desired rank. Further, the set of measurements may comprise a times-series of square amplitudes of the wireless signal, and each square amplitude may comprise a square of the signal strength of the wireless signal.

In another implementation, the estimate may comprise a received signal strength estimate of the carrier of a radio cell in a wireless network that comprises a plurality of radio system cells. And, the method may further comprise the handheld computing device selecting one of the radio system cells based on the received signal strength estimate, and communicating over the wireless network via the selected radio system cell.

In another implementation, the generating step may comprise periodically generating a set of amplitude measurements of a carrier of a serving radio system cell and a set of amplitude measurements of a carrier of at least one neighbouring radio system cell neighbouring the serving cell in a wireless cellular network. The estimating step may comprise determining the received signal strength value for each set of amplitude measurements. The handheld computing device may then periodically select one of the radio system cells based on these received signal strength estimates, and communicate over the wireless network via the selected radio system cell.

In another implementation, the generating step may comprise generating measurements of the amplitude of the carrier of a radio system cell in a constant-amplitude wireless cellular network. And, the estimating step may comprise determining the root-median-square value of the amplitude of the carrier from the estimate.

Turning now to FIG. 1, there is provided a schematic view of a mobile communications network, denoted generally as 100. The mobile communications network 100 is shown in communication with a fixed network 600, and comprises at least one handheld communications device 200, a plurality of base station subsystems (BSSs) 400, and a core network 500. Preferably, the communications network 100 is configured as a GSM network. However, the method and handheld communications devices 200 described herein are not limited to GSM networks.

The handheld communications devices 200 communicate with the BSSs 400 via a wireless cellular network 219. Since the root-mean-square value and the root-median-square value of a signal differ when the amplitude of the signal varies, preferably the handheld communications devices 200 and the BSSs 400 communicate over the wireless cellular network 219 using constant amplitude, phase-modulated wireless signals. Accordingly, preferably the handheld communications devices 200 and the BSSs 400 communicate using GMSK. However, the handheld communications devices 200 and the BSSs 400 may communicate using other phase-modulated wireless signals which have a strong mode, such as 8PSK.

The BSSs 400 provide a bridge between the wireless cellular network 219 and the core network 500, and communicate with the core network 500 via a wired or optical link. As shown, each BSS 400 includes a Base Station Controller (BSC) 402 and a plurality of Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs) 404. The BTSs 404 implement radio link protocols with the handheld communications device 200. Each BTS 404 includes one or more radio transceivers, the coverage area of which comprises a radio system cell. Further, each BTS 404 is connected to the BSC 402 via a wired or optical link. The BSC 402 acts as a physical connection between the handheld communications device 200 and the core network 500.

Preferably, the core network 500 facilitates digital communication between the handheld communications devices 200 and the fixed network 600. Preferably, the core network 500 implements data (e.g. GPRS/EDGE) and/or telephony communications protocols.

The core network 500 communicates with the fixed network 600 via a wired or optical link, and acts as switching node to the fixed network 600. Typically, the fixed network 600 comprises a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) or an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN).

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a sample handheld communications device 200. Preferably, the handheld communications device 200 is a two-way wireless communications device having at least voice and data communication capabilities, and is configured to operate within a wireless cellular network. Further, preferably the handheld communications device 200 has the capability to communicate with other computer systems on the Internet. Depending on the exact functionality provided, the wireless handheld communications device 200 may be referred to as a data messaging device, a two-way pager, a wireless e-mail device, a cellular telephone with data messaging capabilities, a wireless Internet appliance, or a data communication device, as examples.

As shown, the handheld communications device 200 includes a display 222, a function key 246, and data processing means 202 (not shown) disposed within a common housing 201. The display 222 comprises a backlit LCD display. The data processing means 202 is in communication with the display 222 and the function key 246. In one implementation, the backlit display 222 comprises a transmissive LCD display, and the function key 246 operates as a power on/off switch. Alternately, in another implementation, the backlit display 222 comprises a reflective or trans-reflective LCD display, and the function key 246 operates as a backlight switch.

In addition to the display 222 and the function key 246, the handheld communications device 200 includes user data input means for inputting data to the data processing means 202. As shown, preferably the user data input means includes a keyboard 232, a thumbwheel 248 and an escape key 260.

As shown in FIG. 3, the data processing means 202 comprises a digital signal processor (DSP) 220 and a microprocessor 238 in communication with flash memory 224 and volatile memory (RAM) 226. The flash memory 224 includes computer processing instructions which, when copied into the memory 226 and executed by the microprocessor 238, implement an operating system, computer programs, and operating system specific applications. The operating system includes an Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) communication protocol stack that allows the handheld communications device 200 to send and receive communication signals over the wireless cellular network 219.

The flash memory 224 also includes computer processing instructions which, when copied into the RAM 226 and executed by the DSP 220, implement one or more channel filters 300, an amplitude determination procedure 302, a primary allocation procedure 304, a secondary allocation procedure 306, a selecting procedure 308, and a calculating procedure 310. The function of the channel filters 300, the amplitude determination procedure 302, the primary allocation procedure 304, the secondary allocation procedure 306, the selecting procedure 308, and the calculating procedure 310 will be discussed in greater detail below. However, it is sufficient at this point to note that the amplitude determination procedure 302, the primary allocation procedure 304, the secondary allocation procedure 306, the selecting procedure 308 and the calculating procedure 310 together comprise a method that provides an estimate of an electrical characteristic of an electrical signal.

Typically, the handheld communications device 200 uses the electrical signal characteristic estimate to select and/or re-select radio system cells in the wireless cellular network 219. However, the handheld communications device 200 is not so limited. It should also be understood that although the channel filters 300, the amplitude determination procedure 302, the primary allocation procedure 304, the secondary allocation procedure 306, the selecting procedure 308, and the calculating procedure 310 are preferably implemented as a set of computer processing instructions, these procedures may be implemented in electronics hardware instead.

FIG. 4 depicts functional details of the handheld communications device 200. As shown, the handheld communications device 200 incorporates a motherboard that includes a communication subsystem 211, the microprocessor 238, and a SIM/RUIM interface 244. The communication subsystem 211 performs communication functions, such as data and voice communications, and includes a receiver 212, a transmitter 214, and associated components such as one or more embedded or internal, antenna elements 216 and 218, local oscillators (LOs) 213, and the digital signal processor (DSP) 220. The communication subsystem 211 allows the handheld communications device 200 to send and receive communication signals over the wireless cellular network 219.

Signals received by antenna 216 through the wireless network 219 are input to the receiver 212, which performs common receiver functions such as frequency down conversion, and analog to digital (A/D) conversion, in preparation for more complex communication functions performed by the DSP 220. In a similar manner, signals to be transmitted are processed by the DSP 220 and input to transmitter 214 for digital to analog conversion, frequency up conversion, and transmission over the wireless network 219 via antenna 218.

The DSP 220 implements the aforementioned channel filters 300 through which communication signals are received from the receiver 212 and transmitted to the transmitter 214. The DSP 220 also implements the amplitude determination procedure 302, the primary allocation procedure 304, the secondary allocation procedure 306, the selecting procedure 308 and the calculating procedure 310.

The SIM/RUIM interface 244 is similar to a card-slot into which a SIM/RUIM card can be inserted and ejected like a diskette or PCMCIA card. The SIM/RUIM card holds many key configuration 251, and other information 253 such as identification, and subscriber related information.

The microprocessor 238 controls the overall operation of the device, interacting with device subsystems such as the display 222, flash memory 224, RAM 226, auxiliary input/output (I/O) subsystems 228, serial port 230, keyboard 232, speaker 234, microphone 236, short-range communications subsystem 240, and device subsystems 242. As shown, the flash memory 224 includes both computer program storage 258 and program data storage 250, 252, 254 and 256.

Computer processing instructions are preferably also stored in the flash memory 224 or other similar non-volatile storage. Other computer processing instructions may also be loaded into a volatile memory such as RAM 226. The computer processing instructions, when accessed from the RAM 226 and executed by the microprocessor 238 define the operating system, computer programs, operating system specific applications. Such computer processing instructions may be installed onto the handheld communications device 200 upon manufacture, or may be loaded through the wireless network 219, the auxiliary I/O subsystem 228, the serial port 230, the short-range communications subsystem 240, or device subsystem 242.

In a data communication mode, a received text message or web page download will be processed by the communication subsystem 211 and output to the display 222, or alternatively to an auxiliary I/O device 228. A user of the handheld communications device 200 may compose data items such as email messages for example, using the keyboard 232. Such composed items may then be transmitted over the wireless network 219 through the communication subsystem 211.

For voice communications, overall operation of the handheld communications device 200 is similar, except that received signals would preferably be output to the speaker 234 and signals for transmission would be generated by a microphone 236. Further, the display 222 may provide an indication of the identity of a calling party, the duration of a voice call, or other voice call related information for example.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart that depicts, by way of overview, the method implemented in the handheld communications device 200 for estimating an electrical characteristic of an electrical signal. At step S100, the primary allocation procedure 302 of the handheld communications device 200 allocates a plurality of measurements amongst numerically sequential primary partitions. Each measurement is associated with a characteristic of an electrical signal. Each primary partition has a respective primary numerical range, and the value of each measurement is numerically within one of the primary numerical ranges. A set of eight sample primary partitions are shown in FIG. 6, denoted by reference number 700. Each primary partition 700 is depicted with its associated numeric range (0xxx to 7xxx).

Then, at step S102, the secondary allocation procedure 304 of the handheld communications device 200 allocates the measurements that are associated with one of the primary partitions amongst numerically sequential secondary partitions. One of the measurements that is associated with the one primary partition has a desired rank. The secondary partitions are disposed numerically within the primary numerical range of the one primary partition. Each secondary partition has a respective secondary numerical range, and the value of each measurement that is associated with a secondary partition is within the respective secondary numerical range. A set of eight sample secondary partitions are shown in FIG. 6, denoted by reference number 800. In this example, all the secondary partitions 800 are disposed numerically within the numerical range (3xxx) of the fourth largest primary partition. Each secondary partition 800 is depicted with its associated numeric range (30xx to 37xx).

At step S104, the selecting procedure 306 of the handheld communications device 200 selects one of the secondary partitions in accordance with the desired rank. One of the measurements that is associated with the selected secondary partition has the desired rank.

Preferably, the measurements that are received by the primary allocation procedure 302 comprise a times-series of square amplitudes of a wireless signal received at the handheld communications device 200 via the wireless cellular network 219. Also, preferably the desired rank is 50%, and the electrical characteristic is a RSSI and comprises the root-median-square value of the strength of the received wireless signal. However, other rank measurements can be used for the RSSI. For instance, depending upon the distribution profile of the measurements or the shape of the channel filters, the desired rank might be 40% or 60%.

Further, the aforementioned method can be used to be used to provide other estimates, where the estimate requires calculating a rank of a data set. For instance, the method could be used in a general purpose computer to control an industrial process. According to this latter variation, the method receives a plurality of data values each associated with a process parameter of an industrial process. The primary allocation procedure 302 would allocate the data values amongst the primary and secondary partitions. The secondary allocation procedure 304 would allocate the data values that are associated with one of the primary partitions amongst numerically sequential secondary partitions. The selecting procedure 306 would indirectly control the industrial process by selecting one of the secondary partitions in accordance with the desired rank.

As an example of this latter variation, the data values could represent the voltage, current or impedance read by a sensor that is used in the industrial process. The general purpose computer would use the value associated with the selected secondary partition to determine whether a process parameter was within desired process limits, and then make an adjustment to the industrial process based on the value of the selected secondary partition.

As discussed above, preferably the electrical characteristic comprises the root-median-square value of the strength of a wireless signal received at the handheld communications device 200. FIG. 7 is a flow chart that depicts, in detail, the sequence of steps performed by the handheld communications device 200 when calculating the root-median-square value of the received signal strength.

Initially, at step S200, the DSP 220 of the handheld communications device 200 initializes a set of primary counters in the RAM 226. Each primary counter is referenced by a respective unique index comprising a unique primary set of binary digits. Each primary counter is uniquely associated with one of a plurality of numerically sequential virtual primary partitions. Each primary partition has a respective primary numerical range that is defined by the set of binary digits of the associated primary counter index.

As will be described below with reference to step S204, the DSP 220 generates a series of signal strength measurements of wireless signals received (received signal strength) at the handheld communications device 200. The bit length “n” of each primary counter index is less than the bit length “s” of each signal strength measurement. Further, as will be described below with reference to step S208, the DSP 220 allocates the signal strength measurements amongst the primary partitions, based on the primary numerical range associated with each primary partition. To do so, the DSP 220 correlates a subset of the most significant binary digits of each measurement with one of the primary counter binary indices. The DSP 220 uses the primary counters to count the number of signal strength measurements that are allocated to each respective primary partition.

As an example, where the length “s” of each signal strength measurement is 8 bits, and the length “n” of each primary counter index is 3 bits, the following signal strength measurements would be associated with the respective primary partitions at step S208:

MEASUREMENT COUNTER S₇ S₆ S₅ S₄ S₃ S₂ S₁ S₀ PC₇ (PC₁₁₁) 1 1 1 X X X X X PC₆ (PC₁₁₀) 1 1 0 X X X X X PC₅ (PC₁₀₁) 1 0 1 X X X X X PC₄ (PC₁₀₀) 1 0 0 X X X X X PC₃ (PC₀₁₁) 0 1 1 X X X X X PC₂ (PC₀₁₀) 0 1 0 X X X X X PC₁ (PC₀₀₁) 0 0 1 X X X X X PC₀ (PC₀₀₀) 0 0 0 X X X X X where: PC_(y) = primary counter with index y; and S_(i) = signal strength bit i

As shown, each signal strength measurement is correlated with one of the primary partitions based on the primary counter binary index that matches bits S₇S₆S₅ of the signal strength measurement. Therefore, for example, signal strength measurements in the binary range 11000000 to 11011111 are allocated to primary partition 110XXXXX. Primary counter PC₆ (PC₁₁₀), is used to count the number of signal strength measurements allocated to primary partition 110XXXXX. Signal strength measurements in the binary range 00100000 to 00111111 are allocated to primary partition 001XXXXX. Primary counter PC₁ (PC₀₀₁), is used to count the number of signal strength measurements allocated to primary partition 001 XXXXX.

Returning now to step S202, preferably the BSC 402 transmits to the BTSs 404 that are connected to the BSC 402 a list of cells for the handheld communications device 200 to monitor during cell re-selection. This list typically includes the RF carrier frequencies of the radio system cell that the BTS 404 is serving, and a number of the neighbouring cells of the serving cell. Each BTS 404 transmits the cell re-selection list to the handheld communications device 200 via the wireless network 219.

At step S204, the DSP 220 of the handheld communications device 200 measures the signal strength of wireless signals received at the handheld communications device 200 via the channel filters 300. To do so, the amplitude determination procedure 302 periodically samples the amplitude of the carrier of the serving cell, and the amplitudes of the carriers of the non-serving cells indicated in the cell reselection list. Typically, the amplitude determination procedure 302 samples the amplitude of each carrier at the GSM symbol rate of 270.83 kHz. Preferably, the amplitude determination procedure 302 also computes the square of each amplitude measurement, and then passes the resulting data to the primary allocation procedure 304.

Preferably, the DSP 220 samples the carrier amplitudes in discrete time blocks of 156 samples. As a result, the primary allocation procedure 304 receives from the amplitude determination procedure 302 data sets for each cell, with each data set comprising a times-series of 156 square amplitude samples of the carrier signal for the respective cell.

At step S206, for one of the data sets, preferably the calculating procedure 310 scales the square amplitude measurements in the data set such that the maximum value of the measurements in each data set coincides with the maximum primary partition. To do so, the calculating procedure 310 calculates the mean value of all the square amplitude measurements in the data set, and then normalizes all the square amplitude measurements in the data set to a percentage of the corresponding mean value. Typically, the calculating procedure 310 normalizes the measurements to 50% of the mean.

At step S208, the primary allocation procedure 304 allocates the normalized measurements in the data set amongst the primary partitions in a manner such that the value of each normalized measurement is within the primary numerical range of the corresponding primary partition. To do so, for each measurement in the data set, the primary allocation procedure 304 examines the “x” most significant binary digits of the measurement, wherein “x” is equal to the bit length “n” of each primary counter index, and increments the primary counter whose index corresponds to the “x” most significant binary digits of the measurement.

In the foregoing example, if the binary value of a signal strength measurement is between 11000000 and 11011111 (primary partition 110XXXXX), at step S208 the primary allocation procedure 304 increments primary counter PC₆ (PC₁₁₀). Similarly, if the binary value of a signal strength measurement is between 00100000 and 00111111 (primary partition 001XXXXX), at step S208 the primary allocation procedure 304 increments primary counter PC₁ (PC₀₀₁).

At step S210, the selecting procedure 308 begins calculating the sum of the count values of each primary counter, commencing with the primary counter having the smallest index. The selecting procedure 308 continues adding to the primary count sum the count value of the primary counter having the next largest index, at step S212, until the primary count sum reaches or exceeds a desired rank.

For example, at step S210 the selecting procedure 308 sums the count values of primary counter PC₀ (PC₀₀₀) and primary counter PC₁ (PC₀₀₁). If the desired rank is 50%, and the data set includes 100 measurement samples, at step S212 the selecting procedure 308 determines whether the primary count sum is greater than or equal to the desired rank (50). If the primary count sum is less than the desired rank, processing continues at step S210 where the selecting procedure 308 adds the count value of primary counter PC₂ (PC₀₀₁) to the primary count sum. The selecting procedure 308 continues adding to the primary count sum the count value of the primary counter having the next largest index.

When the primary count sum reaches or exceeds the desired rank, at step S214 the selecting procedure 308 identifies the primary partition that is associated with the desired rank. To do so, at step S210 the selecting procedure 308 saves the index of the last primary counter that was added to the primary count sum at step S210. For instance, if the primary count sum exceeds the desired rank after the count value of primary counter PC₅ (PC₁₀₁) was added to the primary count sum, at step S210 the selecting procedure 308 would have saved the primary index value 5. The selecting procedure 308 would identify primary partition 101XXXXX, at step S214, as the primary partition that is associated with the desired rank. One of the measurements associated with the identified primary partition has the desired rank. Processing then continues at step S216.

At step S216, the DSP 220 initializes a set of secondary counters in the RAM 226. Each secondary counter is referenced by a respective unique index comprising a unique secondary set of binary digits. Each secondary counter is uniquely associated with one of a plurality of numerically sequential virtual secondary partitions. Each secondary partition has a respective secondary numerical range that is defined by the set of binary digits of the associated secondary counter index. Further, the secondary partitions are all associated with the primary partition that was identified at step S214, such that the secondary numerical ranges of the secondary partitions are disposed numerically within the primary numerical range of the identified primary partition.

Typically, the bit length “m” of each secondary counter index is less than the bit length “n” of each primary counter index. The sum of the bit length “n” and the bit length “m” is less than or equal to the bit length “s” of the signal strength measurements. Further, as will be described below with reference to step S220, for the signal strength measurements that are allocated to the identified primary partition, the DSP 220 allocates these signal strength measurements amongst the secondary partitions, based on the secondary numerical range associated with each secondary partition. To do so, the DSP 220 correlates a subset of the next most significant binary digits of each measurement with one of the secondary counter binary indices. The DSP 220 uses the secondary counters to count the number of signal strength measurements that are allocated to each respective secondary partition.

As an example, where the length “s” of each signal strength measurement is 8 bits, the length “n” of each primary counter index is 3 bits, the length “m” of each secondary counter index is 2 bits, and the DSP 220 identified primary partition 10XXXXX at step S214, the following signal strength measurements would be associated with the respective secondary partitions at step S220:

MEASUREMENT COUNTER S₇ S₆ S₅ S₄ S₃ S₂ S₁ S₀ PC₅ (PC₁₀₁) 1 0 1 X X X X X SC₃ (SC₁₁) X X X 1 1 X X X SC₂ (SC₁₀) X X X 1 0 X X X SC₁ (SC₀₁) X X X 0 1 X X X SC₀ (SC₀₀) X X X 0 0 X X X where: PC_(y) = primary counter with index y; SC_(z) = secondary counter with index z; and S_(i) = signal strength bit i

As shown, each secondary partition is associated with primary partition 101XXXXX. Also, each signal strength measurement is correlated with one of the secondary partitions based on the secondary counter binary index that matches bits S₄S₃ of the signal strength measurement. Therefore, for example, signal strength measurements in the binary range 10111000 to 10111111 are allocated to secondary partition XXX11XXX. Secondary counter SC₃ (SC₁₁), is used to count the number of signal strength measurements allocated to secondary partition XXX11XXX. Signal strength measurements in the binary range 10101000 to 10101111 are allocated to secondary partition XXX01XXX. Secondary counter SC₁ (SC₀₁), is used to count the number of signal strength measurements allocated to secondary partition XXX01XXX.

After the DSP 220 initializes the secondary counters at step S216, for the normalized measurements that are associated with the primary partition identified at step S214, the secondary allocation procedure 306 allocates the normalized measurements amongst the secondary partitions in a manner such that the value of each normalized measurement is within the secondary numerical range of the corresponding secondary partition. As will be described, this allocation procedure may be a two step process (steps S218 and S220). However, these two steps can be combined into a single step.

At step S218, for each normalized measurement that was associated with a primary partition other than the primary partition that was identified at step S214, the secondary allocation procedure 306 clips those measurements to the upper and lower limits of the primary numerical range of the identified primary partition. To do so, for those measurements whose values are greater than the upper limit of the primary numerical range of the identified primary partition, the secondary allocation procedure 306 maps the set of most significant binary digits to the identified primary partition, and the set of next most significant binary digits to the maximum secondary partition. Preferably, the secondary allocation procedure 306 maps the set of most significant binary digits to the identified primary partition, and the remaining binary digits to the upper limit of the maximum secondary partition.

Similarly, for those measurements whose values are less than the lower limit of the primary numerical range of the identified primary partition, the secondary allocation procedure 306 maps the set of most significant binary digits to the identified primary partition, and the set of next most significant binary digits to the minimum secondary partition. Preferably, the secondary allocation procedure 306 maps the set of most significant binary digits to the identified primary partition, and the remaining binary digits to the lower limit of the maximum secondary partition.

As an example, where the length “s” of each signal strength measurement is 8 bits, the length “n” of each primary counter index is 3 bits, the length “m” of each secondary counter index is 2 bits, and the DSP 220 identified primary partition 101XXXXX at step S214, at step S218 the secondary allocation procedure 306 maps the signal strength measurements in primary partitions 110XXXXX and 111XXXXX to the upper limit of secondary partition XXX11XXX. In other words, for the purpose of step S220, at step S218 the secondary allocation procedure 306 treats all the signal strength measurements in primary partitions 110XXXXX and 111XXXXX as being equivalent to the value 10111111.

Similarly, at step S218 the secondary allocation procedure 306 maps the signal strength measurements in primary partitions 000XXXXX, 001XXXXX, 010XXXXX, 011XXXXX and 100XXXXX to the secondary partition XXX00XXX. In other words, for the purpose of step S220, at step S218 the secondary allocation procedure 306 treats all the signal strength measurements in primary partitions 000XXXXX, 001XXXXX, 010XXXXX, 011XXXXX and 100XXXXX as being equal to the value 10100000.

At step S220, the secondary allocation procedure 306 allocates the measurements in the resulting data set (the measurements re-mapped at step S218, and the measurements originally associated with the primary partition identified in step S214) amongst the secondary partitions in a manner such that the value of each measurement is within the secondary numerical range of the corresponding secondary partition. To do so, for each measurement in the resulting data set, the secondary allocation procedure 306 examines the “y” next most significant binary digits of the measurement, wherein “y” is equal to the bit length “m” of each secondary counter index, and increments the secondary counter whose index corresponds to the “y” next most significant binary digits of the measurement.

In the foregoing example, if the binary value of a signal strength measurement is between 10111000 and 10111111 (secondary partition XXX11XXX), at step S220 the secondary allocation procedure 306 increments secondary counter SC₃ (SC₁₁). Similarly, if the binary value of a signal strength measurement is between 10101000 and 10101111 (secondary partition XXX01XXX), at step S220 the secondary allocation procedure 306 increments secondary counter SC₁ (SC₀₁).

At step S222, the selecting procedure 308 begins calculating the sum of the count values of each secondary counter, commencing with the secondary counter having the smallest index. The selecting procedure 308 continues adding to the secondary count sum the count value of the secondary counter having the next largest index, at step S224, until the secondary count sum reaches or exceeds a desired rank.

For example, if the desired rank is 50%, and the data set includes 100 measurement samples, at step S222 the secondary allocation procedure 306 sums the count values of secondary counter SC₀ (SC₀₀) and secondary counter SC₁ (SC₀₁). At step S224, the selecting procedure 308 determines whether the secondary count sum is greater than or equal to the desired rank (50). If not, processing continues at step S222 where the selecting procedure 308 adds the count value of secondary counter SC₂ (SC₁₀) to the secondary count sum. The selecting procedure 308 continues adding to the secondary count sum the count value of the secondary counter having the next largest index.

When the secondary count sum reaches or exceeds the desired rank, at step S226 the selecting procedure 308 identifies the secondary partition that is associated with the desired rank. To do so, at step S222 the selecting procedure 308 saves the index of the last secondary counter that was added to the secondary count sum at step S222. For instance, if the secondary count sum exceeds the desired rank after the count value of secondary counter SC₂ (SC₁₀) was added to the secondary count sum, at step S222 the selecting procedure 308 would have saved the secondary index value 2. The selecting procedure 308 would identify secondary partition XXX10XXX, at step S226, as the secondary partition that is associated with the desired rank. Processing then continues at step S228.

At the completion of step S226, one of the measurements associated with the identified secondary partition has the desired rank. Therefore, at step S228, the calculating procedure 310 identifies the measurement having the desired rank by computing the binary value that is uniquely associated with the primary partition identified at step S214 and the secondary partition identified at step S226. To do so, the calculating procedure 310 logically combines the primary counter index that is associated with the identified primary partition and the secondary counter index that is associated with the identified secondary partition.

In this computation, the primary counter index occupies the most significant bit locations of the combined binary index value, and the secondary counter index occupies the next most significant bit locations of the combined binary index value. For example, if the selecting procedure 308 identified primary partition 101XXXXX at step S214, and identified secondary partition XXX10XXX at step S226, the calculating procedure 310 would compute the combined binary index value, at step S228, by tacking on the binary value 10 to the right of the binary value 101. Preferably, the remaining significant bits would be zeroed, so that the combined binary index value would be 10110000.

At step S230, the calculating procedure 310 de-scales the combined binary index value in the converse manner to scaling step S206. For example, if the calculating procedure 310 normalized all the square amplitude measurements in the data set to a percentage of the mean value at step S206, the calculating procedure 310 de-normalizes the combined binary index value by the same percentage of the mean value at step S230.

Since the measurements that are received by the primary allocation procedure 302 comprise a times-series of square amplitudes, the de-scaled binary value calculated at step S230 is the square of the measurement having the desired rank value. Therefore, at step S232, the calculating procedure 310 calculates the square root of the de-scaled binary value. The resulting binary value is the measurement having the desired rank value.

Although the method described herein is more computationally expensive than a mean computation, the method is less computationally expensive than conventional median (or other rank) computations. For instance, whereas conventional median value computations are typically ORD(n log n), the method described herein is ORD(n). Further, the root-median-square computation, described herein, is less sensitive to spectral coloration and contamination than RMS computations.

Further, it should be understood that, although the method was described above as a two-step rank computation process, the method is not so limited. For instance, since the resolution of the measurement having the desired rank value is limited by the number of bits that are used to represent the combined binary index value, the rank determination process could be extended to more than two steps. In the C source code listing shown below, multiple sets of sub-partitions are defined, with each set of sub-partitions being within one of the parent partitions, and the process iterating until the desired resolution is obtained.

#include <stdio.h> #include <string.h> #define BITS_PER_PASS 5 #define NUMBER_OF_PASSES 3 #define NUMBER_OF_BINS (1 << BITS_PER_PASS); #define BIN_BITMASK (NUMBER_OF_BINS − 1); static int ScaleArray( unsigned int *data, int numElements ); // The ScaleArray function scales the array elements by a common factor and returns the // number of bits the elements have been shifted to the left. Scaling here is done // in powers of 2, to potentially exploit normalize operations in DSPs, but can // also use a general ratio in other implementations. static unsigned int FastMedian( unsigned int *data, int numElements ) { unsigned char bins[NUMBER_OF_BINS]; int i, sum, x, shift, scale; unsigned int median, mask; // Scale (normalize) array elements to left scale = ScaleArray( data, numElements ); shift = 32 − BITS_PER_PASS; mask = 0xFFFF FFFF >> BITS_PER_PASS; // Clear bins memset( bins, 0, sizeof(bins) ); // Build first histogram for ( i = 0; i < numElements; i++ ) bins[data[i] >> shift] += 1; // consider only 5 most significant bits // Find first bin sum = 0; for ( median = 0; median < NUMBER_OF_BINS; median++ ) { sum += bins[median]; if ( sum >= numElements/2 ) break; // bins[median] contains median } for ( x = 0; x < (NUMBER_OF_PASSES − 1); x++ ) { unsigned int min, max, m; min = ( median << shift ); // min = smallest number in bin selected in previous iteration max = ( median << shift ) | mask; // max = largest number in bin selected in previous iteration shift −= BITS_PER_PASS; mask >>= BITS_PER_PASS; memset( bins, 0, sizeof(bins) ); // Build histogram for ( i = 0; i < numElements; i++ ) { // Do max and min unsigned int val = data[i]; val = max < val ? max : val; // if val > max, map to upper limit of selected bin val = min > val ? min : val; // if val < min, map to lower limit of selected bin bins[(val >> shift) & BIN_BITMASK] += 1; // consider next 5 most significant bits } // Find bin sum = 0; for ( m = 0; m < NUMBER_OF_BINS; m++ ) { sum += bins[m]; if ( sum >= numElements/2 ) break; // bins[m] contains median } median = ( median << BITS_PER_PASS ) | m; // tack on next most significant bits to median } // Zero out remaining least significant bits and then de-normalize the result return ( median << shift ) >> scale; }

FIG. 8 depicts the variation in mean RSSI and median RSSI (as determined by the foregoing method), against true RSSI, for selected channel filter bandwidths. In this example, wanted signal and adjacent channel interferer are both GMSK. These experimental results show that median RSSI is more invariant than mean RSSI as channel filter bandwidth and interference level change. Further, for a given channel filter bandwidth, the adjacent channel interference level can be 3 to 5 dB stronger before median RSSI deviates from true RSSI, in comparison to mean RSSI. As a result, the foregoing method, when applied to the power estimation of a signal, is less sensitive to channel filter shape, channel interference, and noise than traditional RMS. 

1. A handheld computing device, comprising: an antenna configured to receive a wireless signal; and a data processor coupled to the antenna, the data processor comprising a signal processor, the signal processor being configured to: (i) generate a set of measurements of the wireless signal; (ii) allocate the set of measurements amongst partitions of a hierarchical multi-level partition space, each level of the partition space having a plurality of the partitions, each partition having a respective numerical range, a value of each said allocated measurement being within one of the numerical ranges, one of the measurements allocated to one of the partitions having a desired rank, the one partition encompassing the numerical range of all the partitions in the partition level immediately lower thereto, each partition in the immediately lower partition level having a desired resolution for the measurements allocated thereto; and (iii) estimate a characteristic of the wireless signal by summing a number of the measurements allocated to each respective partition in the immediately lower partition level until the desired rank is obtained, the numerical range of the partition in the immediately lower partition level and associated with the desired rank comprising the estimate of the characteristic.
 2. The wireless communications device according to claim 1, wherein each said measurement comprises a set of binary digits having a word length, each said partition is uniquely associated with a respective set of binary digits of length less than the word length, and the signal processor comprises a respective counter uniquely associated with each said partition, and is configured to allocate the measurements by, for each said measurement, incrementing the counter corresponding to a set of most significant binary digits of the measurement.
 3. The wireless communications device according to claim 1, wherein the partitions in the immediately lower partition level comprise secondary partitions, the partitions in the partition level immediately above the secondary partitions comprise primary partitions, each said primary partition is uniquely associated with a respective primary set of binary digits, and each said secondary partition is uniquely associated with a respective secondary set of binary digits
 4. The wireless communications device according to claim 3, wherein the signal processor comprises a respective primary counter uniquely associated with each said primary set of binary digits, and a respective secondary counter uniquely associated with each said secondary set of binary digits, and is configured to allocate the measurements by, for each said measurement associated with the one primary partition, incrementing the secondary counter corresponding to a set of next most significant binary digits of the measurement.
 5. The wireless communications device according to claim 3, wherein the signal processor is configured to allocate the measurements amongst the secondary partitions by clipping the measurements associated with other than the one primary partition to upper and lower limits of the numerical range of the one primary partition.
 6. The wireless communications device according to claim 5, wherein the signal processor is configured to clip the measurements by, for the measurements whose values are greater than the upper limit, mapping the set of next most significant binary digits to a maximum one of the secondary partitions, and for the measurements whose values are less than the lower limit, mapping the set of next most significant binary digits to a minimum one of the secondary partitions.
 7. The wireless communications device according to claim 3, wherein the signal processor is configured to estimate the characteristic of the wireless signal by calculating a square root of a combined value of the primary set of binary digits of the one primary partition and the secondary set of binary digits of the secondary partition associated with the desired rank.
 8. The wireless communications device according to claim 7, wherein the set of measurements comprises a times-series of square amplitudes of the wireless signal, each said square amplitude comprising a square of a signal strength of the wireless signal.
 9. The wireless communications device according to claim 1, wherein the estimate comprises a received signal strength estimate of a carrier of a radio cell in a wireless network comprising a plurality of radio system cells, and the data processor is configured to select one of the radio system cells for communication over the wireless network based on the received signal strength estimate.
 10. The wireless communications device according to claim 1, wherein the set of measurements comprises a set of amplitude measurements of a carrier of a serving radio system cell and a set of amplitude measurements of a carrier of at least one neighbouring radio system cell neighbouring the serving cell in a wireless cellular network, the signal processor is configured to periodically provide a received signal strength estimate for each said set of amplitude measurements, and the data processor is configured to periodically select one of the radio system cells for communication over the wireless network based on the received signal strength estimates.
 11. The wireless communications device according to claim 1, wherein the set of measurements comprises measurements of an amplitude of a carrier of a radio system cell in a constant-amplitude wireless cellular network, and the estimate comprises a root-median-square estimate of the amplitude of the carrier.
 12. A method for estimating a characteristic of a wireless signal received at a handheld computing device, comprising: generating a set of measurements of the wireless signal; allocating the set of measurements amongst partitions of a hierarchical multi-level partition space, each level of the partition space having a plurality of the partitions, each partition having a respective numerical range, a value of each said allocated measurement being within one of the numerical ranges, one of the measurements allocated to one of the partitions having a desired rank, the one partition encompassing the numerical range of all the partitions in the partition level immediately lower thereto, each partition in the immediately lower partition level having a desired resolution for the measurements allocated thereto; and estimating a characteristic of the wireless signal by summing a number of the measurements allocated to each respective partition in the immediately lower partition level until the desired rank is obtained, the numerical range of the partition in the immediately lower partition level and associated with the desired rank comprising the estimate of the characteristic.
 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein each said measurement comprises a set of binary digits having a word length, each said partition is uniquely associated with a respective set of binary digits of length less than the word length, and the step of allocating comprises uniquely associating a respective counter with each said partition and, for each said measurement, incrementing the counter corresponding to a set of most significant binary digits of the measurement.
 14. The method according to claim 12, wherein the partitions in the immediately lower partition level comprise secondary partitions, the partitions in the partition level immediately above the secondary partitions comprise primary partitions, each said primary partition is uniquely associated with a respective primary set of binary digits, and each said secondary partition is uniquely associated with a respective secondary set of binary digits.
 15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the step of allocating comprises uniquely associating a respective primary counter with each said primary set of binary digits, uniquely associating a respective secondary counter with each said secondary set of binary digits and, for each said measurement associated with the one primary partition, incrementing the secondary counter corresponding to a set of next most significant binary digits of the measurement.
 16. The method according to claim 14, wherein the step of allocating comprises clipping the measurements associated with other than the one primary partition to upper and lower limits of the numerical range of the one primary partition.
 17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the clipping step comprises, for the measurements whose values are greater than the upper limit, mapping the set of next most significant binary digits to a maximum one of the secondary partitions, and for the measurements whose values are less than the lower limit, mapping the set of next most significant binary digits to a minimum one of the secondary partitions.
 18. The method according to claim 14, wherein the estimating step comprises calculating a square root of a combined value of the primary set of binary digits of the one primary partition and the secondary set of binary digits of the secondary partition associated with the desired rank.
 19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the set of measurements comprises a times-series of square amplitudes of the wireless signal, each said square amplitude comprising a square of a signal strength of the wireless signal.
 20. The method according to claim 12, wherein the estimate comprises a received signal strength estimate of a carrier of a radio cell in a wireless network comprising a plurality of radio system cells, and the method further comprises the handheld computing device selecting one of the radio system cells based on the received signal strength estimate, and communicating over the wireless network via the selected radio system cell.
 21. The method according to claim 12, wherein the generating step comprises periodically generating a set of amplitude measurements of a carrier of a serving radio system cell and a set of amplitude measurements of a carrier of at least one neighbouring radio system cell neighbouring the serving cell in a wireless cellular network, the estimating step comprises determining a received signal strength value for each said set of amplitude measurements, and the method further comprises the handheld computing device periodically selecting one of the radio system cells based on the received signal strength estimates, and communicating over the wireless network via the selected radio system cell.
 22. The method according to claim 12, wherein the generating step comprises generating measurements of an amplitude of a carrier of a radio system cell in a constant-amplitude wireless cellular network, and the estimating step comprises determining a root-median-square value of the amplitude of the carrier from the estimate. 